Thanet District Council’s popular, award-nominated leaf collection scheme is back for autumn 2026.
Last year, local residents collected an impressive eight tonnes of fallen leaves across 237 properties. Following this success, the council is expanding and streamlining the service for 2026.
The scheme helps divert organic leaf waste from general refuse bins, sending it to be recycled into compost instead. This year, the initiative has been widened to include local schools, Town and Parish Councils, and community groups. The aim is to encourage greater participation across the district.
To streamline the service this season, there will be weekly collection days, set by postcode:
- Tuesday collections: CT7, CT8 and CT9
- Thursday collections: CT10, CT11, and CT12
Containers will be delivered free of charge to participating households, complete with a colour-coded sticker confirming the weekly collection day. Leaf collections are due to start the week of Monday 19 October, and will continue until early January, when the bins will be taken back to be used again in autumn 2027.
Residents, schools, community groups and Town and Parish Councils wishing to join the scheme can request a free container at thanet.gov.uk/leafing-bin-scheme/. People who took part in 2025 will need to reorder a bin. Applications are open until Monday 30 November 2026.
As an extra thank you for taking action to help protect the local environment, everyone that receives a leaf collection bin will be able to opt into a prize draw to win a free year-long garden waste subscription starting in April 2027.
Cllr Steve Albon, Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Coastal Services at Thanet District Council, said: “Autumn is a lovely time of year here in Thanet, but we know how quickly fallen leaves can build up. Last year, residents did a fantastic job collecting eight tonnes of leaves – that’s a huge amount kept out of general waste and put to good use.
“It’s a simple, hassle-free way to help look after our local environment, and make a real difference right here in our community. Just request your free bin online, put it out on your set day, and our teams will take care of the rest.
“I encourage everyone, whether you took part last year or want to try it for the first time, to get your bin ordered, and help us smash last year’s record.”
The council’s leaf collection scheme has been shortlisted in the ‘Local Authority Success – Education and Circular Economy Outreach’ category of the prestigious National Recycling Awards, as well as in the ‘Environmental Impact’ category of the Recycling Awards for Excellence. It achieved a highly commended placement in the ‘Best Green Waste Engagement’ category in the 2026 PermiServ Green Waste Awards.
Further information about the leaf collection scheme is available on the website, including a link to the order form.
